The Bendigo Chamber Music Festival has been in existence for six years and has gained a high reputation. It combines a group of regular, founding musicians such as pianist Timothy Young and violinist Sophie Rowell, with national and international Australian guest artists. Several of the latter performed in the final Gala Concert on Saturday night (3 February), which I was able to enjoy via Australian Digital Concert Hall’s live stream.

The concert began with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 11 in F, with Young at the piano. As with other of his early concertos, Mozart arranged a version for piano quintet, which is what we heard here. Chamber-sized forces brought a bright, youthful quality to the work, while Young’s pianism was expressive while retaining a classical polish and fluency, especially in the lovely slow movement.

Guest artist mezzo-soprano Ashlyn Tymms followed, with an earthy, full-toned performance of Manuel de Falla’s Seven Popular Spanish Songs. The incisive accompaniments were beautifully provided by renowned pianist Anna Goldsworthy. This was followed by a French ‘palate cleanser’: Jean Françaix’s witty Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano. It was played with perky good humour by two other guest artists, oboist Armand Djikoloum and bassoonist Lyndon Watts, with...